Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Helen P. Bradley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Helen P., appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Kathy was thirty-two years old when her husband was shot and killed by his brother at a cookout on a steamy July afternoon in Savannah, Georgia. I don’t remember what she told me the brothers argued about. I do remember her showing me pictures of their two small children-a boy and a girl-who would be fatherless. I remember her asking questions about the preliminary court hearing for her brother-in-law charged with murder.
Kathy was the first person we helped at our newly established victim-witness assistance program in the district attorney’s office in the early 1980s. We helped her navigate the confusing criminal justice system and did our best to provide practical and emotional assistance during the months and years after the horrific crime.
Kathy became a passionate advocate for victims across the state, working to get laws and policies changed. For example, Kathy lobbied at the state capitol to get legislation passed to establish a crime victim compensation program to help with unreimbursed expenses such as medical, counseling, and funeral bills. She fought for victims’ rights and made a difference.
During twenty-seven years as a crime victim advocate, I met and admired thousands of other crime victims. Most didn’t become outspoken leaders in the victim advocacy field like Kathy. But many showed amazing resilience in the midst of crisis, whether they were victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or a home burglary.
Here are a few things I learned:
1) Seek help. Don’t act tough and try to handle everything yourself as had been my pattern.
2) Realize it’s okay to not be okay. There are going to be bad days and meltdowns.
3) Take action. It doesn’t have to be huge. You could plant a tree in memory of a loved one, volunteer at an organization with a mission dear to your heart, or bake a cake for a neighbor.
4) Believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who believe in you.
During the writing of my novel, Breach of Trust, I was inspired as I recalled all the resilient victims I knew. I’m forever grateful for what they taught me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My debut novel, Breach of Trust, was published in 2023, three weeks after my sixty-fourth birthday. It’s never too late to fulfill a dream. Be bold and go for it! Breach of Trust is about one woman’s fight to protect crime victims and expose corruption within the district attorney’s office which leads her on a harrowing and life-changing journey. While it is fiction, it is inspired by true events.
The writing journey was both painful and cathartic as I recalled when my young employee accused our boss -the powerful district attorney-of sexual harassment.
I love chatting with readers at book clubs and events about my sometimes crazy writing and publishing journey.
I hope Bold Journey readers will support me-and particularly older debut authors- by buying our books, telling others about us, following us on social media, writing reviews, and inviting us to book clubs (in person or virtually) and community events. Folks can sign up on my webpage to receive occasional newsletters. It all helps!
Web page: helenpbradley.com
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Writing is often a lonely journey, but I found an amazing writing critique group that supported me, challenged me, and held me accountable. My novel, Breach of Trust, would not exist without these extraordinary writers. So, I encourage folks to find a community on a similar journey. Reach out and share ideas, struggles, and successes. We don’t have to go it alone. And one positive from the pandemic is that we learned we can find a virtual community if an in-person group isn’t feasible.
I’m a terrible procrastinator, so one skill I’m still working on is discipline and self-motivation. Writing a book requires you put your butt in the seat on a regular basis. I’m learning to set schedules and deadlines for myself. No, I don’t need to scroll on Facebook or Insta for two hours. I need to write. Wish me luck!
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to support others. yes, even if they are “competitors,” Lift each other up and it will help you both.
Finally, lighten up! Don’t take yourself so seriously. Life is too short for that.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I reach out to my tribe of friends and my sister. Talking and even venting can help me calm down. My sister and I chat every single day. She’s my rock.
Yoga is a great stress reliever. There are many free online classes. I keep a yoga mat beside my bed and even a few minutes of centered breathing and simple poses calm my harried nerves.
I love to lose myself in a good novel to escape this crazy old world. When it’s winter, I snuggle under a blanket, sip on hot tea, and light a candle. Ahh…
Breathe. Just remember to breathe.
Chocolate. Enough said.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.helenpbradley.com
- Instagram: Helen P Bradley
- Facebook: Helen P. Bradley, Author
- Other: Email [email protected] Please go to my website, scroll down, and sign up for my occasional newsletters.
Image Credits
Photo Credit by Dreamweaver Photography
